Oh La
Ra Ra Riot Lyrics


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Say a word that's quiet, not half the way there
Somedays our future...it seems to hang on so tight
"Come quickly now the air hangs heavily today"
"Oh no, but what is that crimson in the shade?"

Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.
Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.

I wouldn't say the word now but this is not what I meant,
For a woman that's fallen over head and ears
And still so warm, but I'm lonely too,
Suddenly she is still and says, "I hope that things will be better here."

Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.




Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.

Overall Meaning

In Ra Ra Riot's song "Oh La," the lyrics are communicating a sense of longing for connection and mutual understanding. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer urging someone to "say a word that's quiet" in order to break through the noise and chaos of everyday life. There is a sense of urgency to the lyrics, with the line "somedays our future...it seems to hang on so tight" suggesting that there is a looming sense of uncertainty or anxiety about what's to come.


Throughout the song, there are references to color and shade, which could represent the various emotional states that the characters are experiencing. The line "what is that crimson in the shade" could be interpreted in a number of different ways - is it something sinister or dangerous that's lurking just beneath the surface, or is it a symbol of passion or love that's waiting to be uncovered?


Ultimately, the message of "Oh La" seems to be that we all have something to learn from each other, and that we need to work together in order to navigate the challenges of life. The repetition of the phrase "we've got to stick together" reinforces this idea, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and connection in the face of uncertainty and adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Say a word that's quiet, not half the way there
Ask for a soft-spoken word, not something said half-heartedly


Somedays our future...it seems to hang on so tight
Some days it feels like our future is hanging by a thread


"Come quickly now the air hangs heavily today"
"Hurry up, the atmosphere is oppressive today"


"Oh no, but what is that crimson in the shade?"
"Oh no, what's that red color that's hidden in the darkness?"


Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We have much to gain from learning from each other


We've got to stick together.
Only by staying united can we succeed


I wouldn't say the word now but this is not what I meant,
I don't want to say it, but this isn't what I had in mind


For a woman that's fallen over head and ears
For a woman who's completely fallen in love


And still so warm, but I'm lonely too,
Even though she's affectionate, I'm still lonely


Suddenly she is still and says, "I hope that things will be better here."
All of a sudden she's quiet and says, "I hope things improve here."


Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We have much to gain from learning from each other


We've got to stick together.
Only by staying united can we succeed




Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

nyx

This was on my mind and I felt a strong pull on my heart to come back to this song after what's been nearly a decade.

tocc

ive loved this song for years, the whole album is a masterpiece but its not on any streaming service :(

David Conway

tocc spotify

Katie Heath

I adore this song so much, just wish it was on Spotify :(

summerfae

just found out about this band TODAY and im already in music love. thanks for sharing :)

Irene F.

They remind me of a mixture of Vampire Weekend, The Drums, and Ok Go, which is totally awesome and unexpected. I love them so far <3

rindcorp1

The drummer in this band does great stuff.

dancu

This.... Is not what... I was looking for, but I like it.

Jacob

I am 24 and know far more about music than most "older" folk I come across. The beauty of the internet is using it like a time machine, we can now listen to whatever we want. From whatever era we want. From whatever country we want. Those of us addicted to music listen to it all. I was listening to Charles Mingus in my car this weekend and my father asked "WHAT IS THIS!? U LISTEN TO JAZZ!?" Yes old man, I do.

monbleuinfini

holy mother of music.

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